No plans to reopen ‘eyesore’ Romsey Hotel

THE Romsey Hotel won’t be reopened by owner Jim Hogan and is unlikely to operate as a licensed venue again.

THE Romsey Hotel won’t be reopened by owner Jim Hogan and is unlikely to operate as a licensed venue again.

Mr Hogan told the Leader an application last month by his company for a Venue Operators Licence, the potential forerunner to renewed operations, was just “housekeeping”.

“The last tenants are under liquidation and under the leasing agreement would come back to my company anyway,” he said.

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“I instructed my lawyers to start the process of getting those licences and permits moved over to my name.”

Mr Hogan, who closed the historic pub last October, has used the vacant lot to advertise free bus trips to his Wallan Hotel and said he had no plans to revive the hotel.

“Old-fashioned pubs are finished,” he said. “I have invested heavily in the Shamrock Hotel (in Bendigo) and the Wallan Hotel and they are multi-faceted facilities with lots of varied offerings for a variety of patrons.

“I’ve had no interest from potential publicans at Romsey, but have been approached by other potential buyers who are looking at property development, whether that’s residential or fast food or childcare centres. There’s no money in traditional hotels.”

Speculation was another bid for gaming machines could be under way when the application was made public on December 18.

Mr Hogan had engaged in a bitter legal fight with Macedon Ranges Council in 2009, which culminated in a Supreme Court decision barring pokies there.

Romsey Region Business and Tourism Association president Jenny Stillman said most vibrant country towns had a busy hotel.

“We have a situation where streetscape works are about to commence next week, but the pub which is the entrance of that streetscape is boarded up,” she said. “It’s an eyesore at the moment and the first time, probably in the town’s history, where there is no pub.

“It could be a contentious potential debate to consider whether it’s better to have a pub with pokies or no pub at all.”

Mayor at the time of the Supreme Court decision in favour of the Macedon Ranges, John Letchford, said any moves to place gaming machines at the Romsey Hotel would usher another marathon legal fight.

Mr Hogan said he would likely engage agents to formally sell the site in coming months.